Christmas stable illuminating device



Jan. 28, 1958 Filed May 1, 1956 J. ALLUNARIO CHRISTMAS STABLE ILLUMINATING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 John Al/un aria INVENTOR. v

BY -MW Jan. 28, 1958 J. ALLUNARIO 2,821,621

' v CHRISTMAS STABLE ILLUMINATING DEVICE Filed May 1. 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 +3 Fig.4

John Al/unario INVENTOR.

BY ww mw United States Patent 7 2,821,621 CHRISTMAS STABLE ILLUMINATING DEVICE John Allunarlo, Bloomingdale, N. J.

Application May 1, 1956, Serial No. 581,996

2 Claims. (Cl. 240-) This invention relates to ornamental devices and particularly an ornamental device which has prime utility during the Christmas season.

An object of the present invention is to provide an illuminating attachment which is adapted to be secured to a Christmas stable in such a way that the appearance of the stable is enhanced.

A further object of the invention is to provide an attachment for a stable, the attachment being arranged above and behind the stable and provided with a main star through which light rays are adapted to pass, there being an opening in the roof of the stable so that the light rays passing through the star and the opening may be directed upon the manger and Child in the manger.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide an attachment for a stable which supplies illumination in the stable and which, of itself, is decorative in that it provides a number of secondary stars, clouds, figurines such as Angels and other decorative setting. The clouds and at least some of the stars are formed by making holes in a panel of the illuminating device so that the light rays t passing through the device form outlines of the stars and the clouds to thereby enhance the appearance of the device.

A further object of the invention is to provide an attachment for a stable as described above wherein the light rays are reflected by a light reflecting film, as tin or aluminum foil, so that the general appearance of the stars is more realistic.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a typical stable having the attachment applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the structure in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

In the accompanyingdrawings I have shown a stable 10 which consists of a platform or base 12 that protrudes forwardly beyond the sides of floor 14. A plurality of closely arranged columns 16 form the wall 18, while the wall 20 is similarly formed. These columns may be of various constructions, however, it is suggested that quarter round wood molding be attached to the floor 14, this providing a neat external and internal appearance. The columns may be glued or otherwise fastened to the floor. The back 22 is attached to the base 12 and rises upwardly to the two roof panels 24 and 26 to which it is attached. A lintel 28 extends across the open front of the stable and has structural supports 31, 32 and 33 at the center thereof and extending upwardly to the roof panels 24 and 26.

2,821,621 Patented Jan. 28, 1958 The roof may be thatched in a simulated Way, as by gluing straw or the like thereon. Other roof decorations may be used. The same holds true for the floor 14. Stable 10 is adapted to have figurines, as the Blessed Mother Mary 40, St. Joseph 42, the Infant Christ Child 44 in manger 46, the three Magi, the shepherd boys, sheep, and other figurines in accordance with the desires of the owner. In practicing the invention, the manger 46 with the Christ Child 44 in it will be located in a specific place within the stable 10. I

As shown in Figure 2 a cone 50 of light is passed through an opening 52 in the peak of the roof and through an aperture 54 in panel 56. This panel is made of two plys 58 and 60 in addition to a light reflective liner 62 which may be of tin foil, aluminum foil or some other light reflective film. Aperture 54 is in the form of a star and it is the main star of a group.

The panel forms the front wall of a receptacle 64 and extends below the receptacle 64 to form a mounting plate 66 adapted to fit against the outer rear surface of the back wall 22 of the stable 10. Suitable means are used to fasten the panel 66 to the stable. For example nut and bolt assemblies 67 and 68 pass through aligned apertures in the plate 66 and the rear wall 22 may be used.

Receptacle 64 is made of two trays 70 and 72, these trays having side walls 74 and 76 respectively and attached together at confronting lower edges by means of a hinge 78. A locking device, for example a hook and eye, is used for the purpose of releasably holding the two rays in the closed position (Figure 2). The reflective liner is placed entirely within the receptacle so that the light rays are reflected back and forth in the receptacle and pass through the aperture 54. A number of minor stars 82 are formed in the front panel 55 of the receptacle 64, and these stars are made in the same way as the star 54. However, they are smaller and are more remote from the lamp 84 that comprises the source of illumination for the receptacle 64. Clouds 86 and 87 are formed in the panel 55, and figurines, for example angels 89 are painted or otherwise formed on the front ply 58 of the panel 55. This front ply is of cardboard or other material of a similar nature, while the remainder of the receptacle may be made of metal or wood. Each star is constructed in the same manner. An aperture is formed in the ply 56, such as the aperture 91 for the aperture 54. Then, an opening the size and shape of the star is formed in the front ply 58 in alignment with the aperture 91. Alternatively, the aperture 54 may be die punched or otherwise formed directly through both the plys. The clouds 86 and 87 may be formed by making an aperture in the rear ply 56 and forming a plurality of perforations or holes in the desired shape in the front ply 58.

' Lamp 84 is mounted in a socket 93. The socket may be of the type that has a switch built in it. In that case a switch operator 94 will extend from one part of the socket 93. An electrical cord 95 is operatively connected to the socket 93, passing through an opening (unshown) in the receptacle 64. A hanger 97 is used to attach the socket to the wall '76 of tray 70.

In use the illuminating device is attached to the stable as described. As the light 84 is energized the light rays pass fromthe reflecting surfaces of the receptacle through aperture 54 that forms the star, opening 52 and onto the manger 46. At the same time the illuminated stars, clouds and other devices that may be applied on the panel 55, are lighted to provide a beautiful background for the stable.

It is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made herein without departing from the invention as claimed. For example, instead of having the panel 55 made of a plurality of plys, it may be made of a single ply. Other similar modifications are contemplated.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

.1. In combination, a Christmas stable having a back and roof provided with an aperture therein adjacent said back, a closed receptacle fixed to and upstanding from said back above said roof in the rear of said aperture and having a vertical front wall provided with a star shaped aperture therein above and in the rear of the roof aperture and in a vertical plane therewith, an electric light in the receptacle directly above the star-shaped aperture and from which light rays pass through the star-shaped aperture and the roof aperture downwardly into the stable to illuminate said stable, and a light reflecting liner in said receptacle covering the inner surface of the receptacle and having a light ray passing aperture therein registering with the star-shaped aperture.

2. The combination of claim 1, said front and liner having other registering apertures therein and a cover of sheet material over said other apertures provided with perforations forming decorative perforated patterns in front of said other apertures for dim illumination by light rays passing therethrough from said other apertures.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,794,109 Eckert Feb. 24, 1931 2,097,061 Graf Oct. 26, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,103,381 France May 18, 1955 

